Weather
Iowa Thanksgiving Travel: Snow, Ice Concerns Nov. 18–24
Des Moines, IA – Thanksgiving travelers across Iowa could face a significantly wetter weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about potential
By Claire Benton · 2026-11-11T05:32:33.178Z
Des Moines, IA – Thanksgiving travelers across Iowa could face a significantly wetter weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about potential snow, freezing rain, ice and developing winter storms during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across Iowa and much of the central United States from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The outlook highlights a widespread precipitation pattern extending from the West Coast through the central Plains and Midwest. Portions of the nation's Heartland reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, with Iowa included in the broader region of elevated precipitation chances.
Des Moines, Ames and Central Iowa Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Marshalltown and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather as the wetter pattern develops.
Travelers along Interstate 35, Interstate 80 and Interstate 235 should monitor forecasts for possible rain, snow or mixed precipitation if colder air arrives.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Eastern Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque and surrounding communities are also within the area favored for increased precipitation.
Developing storm systems could bring periods of rain, while snow or freezing precipitation could become concerns if temperatures fall sufficiently.
Davenport, Bettendorf and the Quad Cities Davenport, Bettendorf, Muscatine and neighboring communities along the Mississippi River could face changing travel conditions during the preholiday period.
Interstate 80 and Interstate 74 are important corridors to monitor as holiday traffic increases.
Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Western Iowa Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, Carroll and surrounding western Iowa communities are positioned closer to the central Plains, where the precipitation outlook shows some of its strongest signals.
Snow, sleet or freezing rain could affect travel if developing storm systems encounter sufficiently cold temperatures.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Snow and Ice Develop? The widespread precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about potential winter weather impacts across Iowa.
Although NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the region, brief colder periods could still support wintry precipitation.
The 8–14 day outlook indicates the probability of above normal precipitation, not a specific probability of snowfall or ice accumulation.
With November 18–24 extending into the beginning of Thanksgiving week, Iowa residents should closely monitor forecast updates for storm timing, precipitation type and potential highway impacts.